Anthony Zanowic kicked off his campaign for mayor last summer, nearly a year ahead of the May 2014 election.

“I thought I would need time to get my name out into the public,” he said, during an interview last week. He is among three candidates who have announced for the mayoral position, including Mayor Mark Smith and Police Captain James Davis.

Although he grew up on Armstrong Avenue in Jersey City, Zanowic has lived in Bayonne for the last 41 years, and currently is the manager of Hudson Lanes bowling alleys where he has been very active in working with various community groups, especially those involved with helping the disabled.

This is his second run for public office. In 2010, he ran as an independent candidate for the House of Representatives.

“I did that to make a point,” he said. “I knew it was an uphill fight. But I wanted to get involved. I had no funding and yet I wound up with 2 percent of the vote. I was down about it at the time. My goal was to get 5 percent. I found out later that I was among the three or four independents in the county who got as much as 2 percent.”

He said he announced for mayor in July in order to get some traction.

“I wanted to force Mayor Smith to declare early,” he said. “There were a lot of rumors that he was not going to run. I wanted to set the pace and get some name recognition.”

Although not yet ready to announce it, Zanowic said he will be running with a full slate of council candidates—three ward seats and two at large.

One thing that encouraged Zanowic to run was talk of dissatisfaction with the direction in which some people believed the Smith administration was taking the city.

“Many people want a change and lower taxes,” he said. “One of my plans is to make government more efficient.”

While Zanowic acknowledged Smith’s restructuring of municipal government, this, he said, was largely shifting pieces and not real downsizing.

Zanowic said he was asked to run for mayor by people who offered their support.

“They wanted another alternative to Smith and those who oppose Smith,” he said. “Some of those people have already been rejected by voters or were part of the problem in the past.”

Zanowic said he believes his experiences running a business are similar to those of a mayor, such as finding the right people to do the job and delegating authority.

He said dealing with the public on a day-to-day basis has allowed him to deal with many of the same situations, from problem solving to dealing with customer disputes. Business is different from government in some aspects, but many of the fundamentals are the same.

“I’ve worn a lot of different hats,” he said.

He is running on a platform that includes lowering taxes, streamlining government, and doing away with mismanagement. He points to the City of Chicago, where a number of public/private partnerships were undertaken that allowed the city to maintain control of operations while a private entity dealt with day-to-day operations.

“I think this idea is workable in Bayonne,” he said.

Zanowic, who is a graduate of Bayonne High School and New Jersey City University, said he is encouraged by some of the changes going on in nearby Jersey City under newly elected mayor, Steve Fulop. Zanowic hopes to discuss possible joint ventures for improving safety.

Crime is another big issue, he said, noting that crimes against retailers often go unreported when they are not solved, and that some merchants are concerned.

Improving business along the Broadway shopping corridor is also on his agenda, noting that people no longer come to Broadway to shop as they did in the past.

“We need to find ways to bring people back to Broadway and bring in business where people want to shop,” he said. “This might take tax abatements or other incentives.”

Zanowic said he has already raised money and purchased political signs. His campaign will follow many of the tried-and-true methods used successfully over the years, such as going door to door. He has already used social media and will likely begin traditional media advertising in the future.

He said he supports the teachers in their struggle to get a contract.

“The teachers should not have to wait four years to get a fair contract,” he said.

Zanowic said he also supports an elected rather than an appointed school board, noting that this would make the school board much more accountable to the public.

Zanowic said he has looked at rent control, another hot issue in the city. He said it should be maintained but modified to allow owners to upgrade.

A very big issue in his platform is the concept of transparency in government. People should be allowed access to government information without a lot of red tape.

“My administration will be fully transparent,” he said. “Taxpayers have a right to know what their government is doing.”

Running with a campaign slogan “A better Bayonne,” Zanowic said voters should ask one question: “After six years under the Smith Administration are they better off today? If not, then they deserve a change.”

Zanowic doesn't have a prayer, all you people do is attack , lie and badmouth. Why would Davis out line his plans in a Community News interview 6 months out from an election? Who is Pat Desmond , is he running for anything? What was Laprlusa convicted of?

I saw where Zanowic supporters are claiming a Fulop endorsement, give me a break. Then on his facebook Zanny puts s video up and claims its Davis is a car, not true , just pathetic and desperate.

I looked into Anthony Zanowic and I must say, I am highly impressed. He has a great website, yard signs, over 500 likes on Facebook, a solid team that goes to all of the community events, and they're genuine people. How can you not support him? This is what Bayonne has been missing!

Why is Davis even being talked about? He's a police captain looking to add more to his pension.

Davis is running with La Pelusa, and has been seen with that criminal, Patrick Desmond. I think that is enough evidence as to how his ticket will be. Pure criminals and people wanted to take advantage of Bayonne residents.

The people of Bayonne need to know what a scam this Davis guy is trying to pull. He is connected with felons and with the check scammer LaPelusa.

Dvis admits that he has no plan for the city. Who would vote for the man with no plan? An idiot?

ChrisTooplin

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November 11, 2013

I am happy to support Anthony Zanowic for Mayor of Bayonne, NJ and his entire ticket. Finally, someone with an actual city plan running for office. I am glad that people are seeing Davis for what he really is; a phony.

He's been seen with Patrick Desmond, a criminal who stole 70k from a church and was not even permitted to do the work. On top of that, he now has Gary La Pelusa running with him. La Pelusa was another politician that was part of Bayonne's problems.

Davis has a ticket of criminals.

Zanowic has yard signs up already, a great website with a detailed plan, 500 likes on his Facebook page and great funding from average Bayonne residents. He is a serious candidate for Bayonne.

Zanowic doesn't have a plan! He has goals - no plan to meet those goals. "We will take the steps to encourage existing businesses to stay and expand in our community. We will position Bayonne to attract new businesses and grow in sensible and sustainable ways by promoting incentives to small businesses." WTF is that? I'll tell you what it's not - a plan! And every politician is jumping on the teacher contract bandwagon trying to get votes, Zanowic has no inherit desire to get that contract negotiated - and the teachers know it. If he is for giving the teachers what they are asking for, and that increases property taxes, is he ok with that?? Are you ok with that?? How is he going to manage conflicting priorities? What is his plan for that? And I didn't realize with Zanowic's experience he will know everything he needs to to be a mayor on day 1. What is his experience in running a city again? Davis is the only viable candidate to beat Smith. Zanowic will just be taking votes away from Davis.

Dave Descalla

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November 11, 2013

He got 2% of the vote when he ran for Congress. Anthony luck if he gets 700 votes. He's the poor man's Lenny Kantor. He's a non factor. Saw pictures of his fundraiser breakfast what were 7 people there? This race is between Smith and Davis and this time it's Davis by 2500 votes. Mark Smith campaigned for Barbara Buono and couldn't deliver his own city.

You're in for a big surprise. Good luck supporting the criminal ticket. Nice for Bayonne to have a police captain that hangs out with convicted felons, isn't it?

Davis/Patrick Desmond/La Pelusa a trio of crooks

JoseCruz

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November 12, 2013

Oh Dave, only 4 other people in the entire nation ran as Independents for Congress in 2010 and received 2% or more of the vote. That is out of hundreds of such candidates. Seems Mr. Zanowic did quite well for first time out, no backing and no funding, damn well in fact. He stood up for what he believed in, what have you ever done?

BayonneLifer

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November 08, 2013

This guys claim to fame is he works in a bowling ally. Bayonne is a joke. LOL

No one ever made any claims of fame. The claims that are made and that are TRUE is that he has a plan for Bayonne that will work. He runs a business, he manages a place that has hundreds of people inside. Skills needed to do this are skills needed to manage a city.

That is up and above anything done by Smith, and Davis admits he doesn't have a plan lol

That's who you support? The man with no plan? The man that hangs out with convicted felons? Davis/Patrick Desmond/ La Pelusa = 3 crooks

Melinda Cruz

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November 15, 2013

I m glad Davis knows people of all kinds, it shows he's compassionate. Didn't Jesus hang around with all types. He has a friend that's not perfect, wow.

Zanny Zanowic and his Team of angry followers.

Melinda Cruz

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November 15, 2013

2% , means 98% against you. If his bowling alley did a 2% increase in buisness he would be fired.

Bikerguy68

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November 07, 2013

Let's see, we have the cop who shot himself in the leg, then ran the city down (Smith) and the cop who has no plan and hangs around with felons, yet wants to be mayor (Davis) against the guy that is stern in his views and respected and said to be a former CIA operative in Iraq's first Gulf War (Zanowic). Hmmmmm, I think I'm going with Zanowic, why would I trust 2 dishonored cops over a respected man of boldness to clean up this city?

Mark Smith believes in big development ideas to create luxury condos yet he doesn't realize that the owners can't fill these properties bc of the surrounding area's low desirability. To fill the gap the owners are forced to settle for Section 8. People are spending $2,000 a month to get away from trash and yet they ultimately become neighbors with the people they wanted to get away from in the first place. The unintended consequences of this is the area goes to crap. The people that are paying $2000 a month now want to move out. The developers get their money, the property owners get theirs, the mayor gets his campaign donations, and the people living around these glorified projects are left with the aftermath.

Yep, Smith has destroyed Bayonne with his policies. I think we need to change out all of the old cronies and anyone associated with City Hall. That means Smith and his lackey Davis and the current city council. Zanowic has a vision not expressed by the others and is a man with guts and determination.

Sarah Stockton

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November 06, 2013

I think Tony is a genuine man with a true desire to change the city for the better. He talks about issues that residents like myself identify with. I am a teacher in Hoboken.

All of the sudden other candidates are talking about contracting the teachers in Bayonne but where is the money coming from? Tony has a plan that actually generates the money to pay the teachers what they were promised and more.

The others are copying Zanowic's ideas which he has been plugging for several months. All of a sudden now Davis and Smith want to follow Zanowic? But I thought he was the guy with no qualifications? If so, why are Smith and Davis copying his ideas? The people of Bayonne are smart enough to see thru this scam on the part of Davis and Smith. Both Smith and Davis have long time friends who are felons, and who have access to City Hall. I think the people of Bayonne want and end to this.

Bikerguy68

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November 07, 2013

Sarah, you are on the mark with your comments. Smith needs to go, that is clear. Davis is not capable because he admits that he doesn't even have a plan. Zanowic is the one giving solutions to Bayonne's problems.

bayonnebeauty

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November 06, 2013

Hold on a minute... spraying down shoes and putting down the bumpers qualifies one to run for public office? Obtaining 2% of the vote is a win? You had no funding then and will have no funding now. To be a serious contender in this municipal race you need to raise half a million dollars.. lets see how you plan to do that as a GOP candidate. I hate when these lame duck candidates get involved in races they don't belong in. You are better off running for council, gain some name recognition and prove yourself. My prediction: raises about 60k and takes 6%

Judging by the polling numbers from within I'd suggest you multiply that 6% by 6. There's no doubt that this is an uphill battle but to simply suggest the guy can't win is merely your opinion backed up by no factual evidence. Especially with 3 contestants. In all likelihood a runoff is anyone's election.

If you really care about a true change in direction, you should be more open to new dialogue and less of naysayer. If you simply read the election expenditure report it's easy to say Smith has a ton of money and it should be his race to lose. However, money isn't everything and polls are proving that.

bayonnebeauty

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November 06, 2013

Can you please direct me to these poll results..

JoseCruz

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November 07, 2013

No, you hold on a minute miss haughty. Your reply is one of ignorance. The job descriptions you mention above are not one of the management. Management runs the business, promotes the business, delegates the duties etc. You are an obvious Smith clown who wants Bayonne to go down the road to ruin and then you will vacate it. How much are you making from Smitty's payroll? Bayonne is ready for a positive change away from City Hall insiders and toward someone with new ideas. Funny, you didn't mention one thing about Zanowic's ideas, you just sought to demean him without knowing a thing about him. Smith = old news, Davis = old insider Zanowic = New ideas for the future of Bayonne.

jingobets

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November 06, 2013

Zanowic is gaining support around town, the guy has a plan to open up this city which has been sealed up

in secrecy forever. He also wants to fix up Broadway which looks more run down than ever under Smith's rule. Yeah, I mean rule.

Woah! Mr. Zanowic actually has a city plan? Imagine how the election would have been if Zanowic ran in 2010. I'm sure Smith doesn't stand a chance.

I read the article on Davis, who wants to use City Hall as a job training, and he has no chance. I never met anyone who wants to get elected to "learn on the job." Davis is absolutely insane if he thinks anyone will vote for him without a city plan.

Zanowic, you have my entire family's vote. I look forward to seeing your team on the ballot.

Anthony Zanowic is the ONLY one with a solvent plan for the City of Bayonne. The people of Bayonne will see through the other two and realize this is the chance for positive change in Bayonne's direction.

JoseCruz

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November 06, 2013

This guy Zanowic is doing the right thing. Clear cut choices between him and the two others. One who ruined the city, the other who would follow in his foot steps. The City of Bayonne needs a clean sweep of City Hall, Zanowic is the only one out there that can and will do it. Bayonne, do the right thing and back this guy up, he obviously has the guts to do what needs to be done.

BayonneGuy

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November 15, 2013

Zanowic doesn't have a plan! He has goals - no plan to meet those goals. "We will take the steps to encourage existing businesses to stay and expand in our community. We will position Bayonne to attract new businesses and grow in sensible and sustainable ways by promoting incentives to small businesses." WTF is that? I'll tell you what it's not - a plan! And every politician is jumping on the teacher contract bandwagon trying to get votes, Zanowic has no inherit desire to get that contract negotiated - and the teachers know it. If he is for giving the teachers what they are asking for, and that increases property taxes, is he ok with that?? Are you ok with that?? How is he going to manage conflicting priorities? What is his plan for that? And I didn't realize with Zanowic's experience he will know everything he needs to to be a mayor on day 1. What is his experience in running a city again? DAvis is the only viable candidate to beat Smith. Zanowic will just be taking votes away from Davis.